I Cheated On My English Degree.... {Hello, E-Reader}

Like, told people there was no way in h-e-double hockey sticks that I would venture down that road. Basically proclaimed to the world that I thought it was the worst invention eva-eva.

The e-reader. Every real book lover's worst dream. Honestly, I'm a huge fan of the old-fashioned book. Sniffing the "new book" smell... turning the weathered pages of an old book... collecting stacks of hardbacks... I love it all. And after spending most of my life as a major book worm, including four years studying English in college, I'm pretty proud of my extensive book collection.

Seriously, what was I thinking? I was so scared that buying an e-reader would make me feel like I was having an affair on my loved books. But truly, this thing is every book lovers dream! In the span of minutes, I can download any book that I've been wanting to read. It's actually kind of dangerous. I've already poured through three-quarters of Gone Girl in the last couple of days.

As we've been packing up our house (moving day is right around the corner!), I realized that I have so many books that I don't plan to re-read. In fact, I've added so many of the trendy paperback novels that I bought and never plan to touch again (cough, Fifty Shades, cough) to the "donate" pile. Now that I've got my fancy e-reader, I can simply purchase those types of books paper-free and not junk up my bookshelves! Of course, I plan to continue to add to my collection of classics and my personal favorites in hard cover form. Really, it's win win.

Now that I've caught up with the rest of you and this century's technology, I'm totally excited about reading again. And I'd love to share my excitement with all of you. Soooo, are any of you a member of an online book club? I'd love to find a group to join for book ideas, book discussions, that kind of thing. I'd love any suggestions if you've got them!

26 comments:

I agree! Keep adding to the classics, but the quick and trendy ones that you'll not read again are perfect for the e reader. My husband loves his because its light and easy to bring with him everywhere. I've attempted and have read books on my iphone, but its so small and rediculous. I bet if I ever used a e-reader I would be as glad as you are about it. Sounds great!

oh i am so relieved to hear this. i was an english major as well.... chris has a kindle and just got the kindle fire and loves it. he got me an ipad and we want to start reading books together to discuss, but i have resisted downloading them, which makes the most sense because then we can both access it at the same time.... you have just convinced me to let my guard down and give it a whirl.

I was really hesitant to join the eReader group as well (fellow English major here) but moving abroad particularly to a country where I wouldn't be able to purchase nor ship English books meant no other choice. I still miss being able to stand in front of my bookcase, touch and flip through books that I'd previously read but I can't deny, I love my Kindle.

My kindle is one of my most prized possessions. I love the instant gratification of downloading book 2 of a trilogy at 1 am because I just have to stay up all night reading. Welcome to the Kindle Club! You'll never look back!

I'm a bigtime reader, and the e-reader has been nice! I use it for the library mainly, because when you "buy" an e-book, you're only purchasing a license, and you can't give the book away. If I expect to love it and want to share it with friends, I purchase a real copy.

I could have written this post myself!! (My degree is in English, Speech, and Linguistics). I love having a good book to hold onto, but I was hating all the clutter! I asked for a Kindle Paperwhite for Christmas, and it has come in so handy. We don't travel often, but it will be nice to not have to lug a bunch of books around with me! The Paperwhite is just black and white, so I'll still have to purchase books with pics in them for inspiration, but I'm excited. Have you found the "free" section on Amazon?

I'm not there yet, but I'm so happy to hear this. We have an iPad so I have read a few books on that, however I don't take advantage of its full capabilities as I should, maybe because my munchkins like to play with it. I collect hardcovers too, but I think I should start getting rid of my paperbacks :)

Woo woo! Yay! Not only can you get books...but magazines and newspapers! I love it!! I am glad you like it! And I totally feel you on the books--we moved recently and our house is small! I needed to get rid of all the books I didn't plan on reading again. Not wanting to be on an episode of hoarders anytime soon. ;)

Oh my stars - I do love my Kindle. I got my first one for Christmas in 2011 and for Christmas 2012 I got the paperwhite and passed down the first one to the hubs who is enjoying kindle reading now, too.

Things that are great: free books from the Kindle Owner's Lending Library (if you have amazon prime), borrow books at the library for free, cheap books. One clutter problem we have had around here is books we've read and won't reread - what to do? We donate, but with kindle they just live forever in the cloud :) Also, I love that I can read something big & beefy (like some epic fantasy like Game of Thrones) without straining my arms to hold a 1000 page book. It's small, portable, and easy on the eyes. I have read more since I got it than I had in the 5 years before I got it!!

I love my Kindle too -- but did you know that most public libraries have e-books available for Kindle download? It is a great way to read free books and you don't even have to visit the library in person!

It is THE best thing for reading while breastfeeding, only requires one hand to hold and turn pages ;) Also, Amazon is pretty amazing about replacing yours or tracking it down if you lose it. I've left mine on planes twice now and Amazon got it back to me in just a couple of days. Welcome to our club!

I LOVE having such a portable option for reading - plus it's so quick and easy to download a book. It's made feeding my reading habit more expensive, but as others have mentioned many public libraries have lots of e-books for download. Having had an e-reader (both nook and kindle) for years, the Kindle is extremely easy to download from our library and much cheaper than buying.

I also agree with the Goodreads.com suggestion - I have several friends that regularly use Goodreads with me and it's great to see what they are reading and how they rated a book I am interested in. I'm always looking for someone interested in the same type of books. Gone Girl was a good read!

I'm still holding out. (A history major, not english, here...but a massive bookworm all the same.) I haven't made the transition yet, though my husband has. (He's a computer guy so yeah, he's had his kindle for years.) I read and re-read almost every book I own, I've loaned so many of them out to my mom and sisters along with friends...and now my teenage daughters are starting to read through them all. I have bookshelves in almost every room in my house and have often thought books were the most beautiful way to decorate. :) (My dad calls all my mom's bookshelves "expensive wallpaper. hahaha) I've always liked that quote by Anna Quindlen that says, "I would be the most content if my children grew up to be the kind of people who think decorating consists mostly of building enough bookshelves." :) But that's just me. And I know there may come a day that I become an ereader myself. I can't imagine it quite yet...but who knows. Happy reading!!

Oh my!! I don't even love reading (other than the bible, devotionals and design books/mags) but I could never read online. I don't think I'd absorb the info as well, especially when studying for school. Hi...I need to highlight everythinggggg! Hehe. glad YOU love it though!! Maybe one day :)

Haha, you made me laugh. I realized the potential for minimizing waste early on - I read books VERY quickly and I love reading non-literature books like James Patterson - especially when I travel. BUT I can never bring myself to spend money on book I KNOW I'll only read once. So I check them out electronically onto my e-reader from the library (amazing right?!) Also, when I travel, I never run the risk of reading my entire book on the plane, because there's always a few extra loaded already.Sarah

Meet Michelle

I'm a southern gal with an eye for young traditional design. I'm a self-proclaimed painter, crafter, decorator and do-it-yourselfer. Also a wife + momma to a toddler boy and a baby girl. Welcome to Ten June!